March 2000          

 

 

 

Bon jour mon amis -

 

Well time sure flies.  Here it is March already and Frog Talk is just around the corner.

 

As most of you know by now, there has been a major change in the Frog Talk line up.  After recent events, the unit voted in January to withdraw our invitation to Tom Fern (Fr. Thomas).  I looked for a long time for a replacement speaker and offered the spot to Shawna Kadlek.  She will talk about local herbs and natural healings.

 

So the schedule for Frog Talk looks like this:

 

Friday April 28 - Set up

 

Saturday April 29

                9:30 am - opening colors

10 am - Dan Hechenb erger as Michael Accault on local Native American tribes

                Noon - Lunch

                1 pm - set-up and preview for the auction

                2 pm - Auction

5 pm - Dinner at the American Legion in Prairie du Rocher

                6:30 pm - Main speaker - Carl Ekberg

 

Sunday April 30

10 am - Shawna Kadlek on herbs and healings

                Noon - Lunch

                1 pm - Tom Connor and John Hammond

                                On 18^th century angling ( a

                                Gentleman at leisure)

                3 pm - Closing colors

 

Please get your dinner reservations to me or Lynn Cornelius as soon as possible.  The cost for dinner is $7.00/person.  Dinner will include: fried chicken, roast beef, corn, green bean casserole, new potatoes, cake, tea and coffee.

 

Do not forget about the auction.  We already have several very nice items.  However, we still need donations from you to make it work.

 

 

Upcoming events -

 

March 11 - meeting 10 am at the Fort

 

March 11-12 - Ladys Weekend at the Fort

 

April 8-9 - Trade fair and musket frolic Reservations have been sent in, the Milice will cover the camp fee

 

April 15-16 - Cannon school at the Fort

 

May 6-7 - Kids day at the fort - volunteers are always needed

 

May 20-21 - Lewis & Clark Heritage Days, St. Charles, MO at the riverfront

 

Memorial day weekend - F&I at Fort Massac - see application in newsletter

 

June 3-4 - 30^th annual Rendezvous at Fort de Chartres

 

July 1-3 - French and Indian War Encampment at Old Fort Niagara

 

FYI - We have been invited back to Kimmswick to carol again on December 2, 2000.  I heard many good things about our effort there this past Christmas.  The unit had a very good time.  I hope more can attend next time.

 

I am looking forward to a good spring and summer.

 

Your humble servant

 

John Mefford, Capt.

 

 

I understand that as Captain I am responsible for the people in my command.  However, I did not know I was also responsible for their muskets and equipment.  This is a heavy burden.

 

I know that Captains would often charge their men for various supplies and such.  Maybe this is not a bad practice.  I suppose equipment storage would fall under this area.  I will have to think on that.

 

 

 

F & Woodswalk

 

Congratulations to Rockingham Militia on winning yet another team competition.  Rockingham has volunteered to put on the February shoot next year.  It will be a blanket prize shoot ($15 - $20 prize).

 

John Francis’ team, Guyenne Soldats, finished 2^nd.  The team consisted of John Francis, Bluebutte (Scott Remmler), Gene Holt, Ray Naughton and Richard Kroener.

 

Holy Family Militia finished third.  The team was Lyle Cubberly, Russ Wyatt, Albert Poncerelli, Dog (Marshall Meadors), and Ned Brubeck.

 

Milice de Ste. Famille finished 7^th.  This team was your Captain, John with Gail Cornelius, Dennis Lybarger, Jason Brigman, and “Old Crow” from Kinderhook.  This was Dennis’ first woodwalk and he did very well.  Jason was on the woodswalk in Novebmer, but he got ate by a bear early on.

 

At the last station of the shoot was a field of 40 bubbleheads.  You shot til they were all down, or your gun quit.  You could not replace flints.  Score 1 point for each know down, less 1 point for each minute it took to clear the field.  Milice took 23 minutes, Guyenne took about 14 minuts.  I do not know team 3's time.  Rockingham cleared the field in 7 and one half minutes.  Those guys are professionals.  Anyway, we had a real good time no matter where we finished.

 

Lynn & Gail Cornelius and Ken & Jason Brigman, Ned, and John were the only ones to stay the weekend.  John Hancock and his lovely wife, Antoinette, lifted their fine voices in 18^th century song.  It was good music, good talk, and good people.

 

                                  

 

 

Les Woodswalk Tips de J. J. Marteau

 

1.  When you are on le woodswalk, and you are not needing le meat, and you meet Msr. Le Bear, do not shoot heem.  He has le rights like you do, non?  Perhaps more?

2. When you are on le woodswalk, and you are not needing le meat, and you meet Msr. Le Bear, and you want to shooting heem, and Le Msr. Behind you, he says “Please, no shooting Msr. Le Bear!”  You listen to Le Msr. behind you, he is a wise man, non?

 

Vous servant

Jean Jaques Marteau

Ami du Roi

 

 

 

                          

 

 

You can imagine the surprise when the Milice received registered mail from the law firm of Wefleecum.  These lawyers represent the Auction Company of Duwee, Cheetum, and Howe.  The Milice is flabbergasted that the auctioneers have taken the negotiations to a legal team.  They are demanding a fee increase that is more than is acceptable.  After all, we are a nonprofit organization.

 

The fee in the past has covered their expenses with a modest tip.  We offered a generous cost of living increase as payment for Frog Talk 2000, and they have rejected it straight out.  Not only have they turned down the offer, but they have strained our friendly relationship by bringing in a law firm.  We enjoy their light-hearted friendly style, and their pattering is excellent.  The position that Duwee, Cheetum and Howe has taken puts the Milice in a quandry.  Hopefully, a compromise can be agreed upon.  We may want to consider contacting another auctioneering company.  It may be wise to have one for back up.  The Milice has been offered just such an opportunity.  The French auctioneering company of Voler Vous Aveugle has agreed to help.  There may be a language problem, but they assure us that they can work around it.  Voler Vous Aveugle have outstanding credentials, and they have even worked for the court of France.  They have agreed to perform at our auction free.  This will be their first job in the states.  They hope to prove themselves for future employment.  Please consider our predicament.  The decision needs to be made soon.  Hopefully, an agreement can be achieved with Duwee, Cheetum and Howe.

 

Concerned,

Your friend,

Jim Chestney

 

 

 

                                               

 

                                               

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Odd & Ends

 

Salt-Glazed Stoneware

 

Salt glazing is a very old process originating in Germany about 500 years ago.  Salt glazed pottery is glazed during the firing process.  When the kiln reaches about 2,250 F. salt is thrown inside.  The salt chances from solid to a vapor which sticks to the clay, forming a glass coating on the pot.  Because the vapor is carried through the pots by the flame, many unique colors and irregularities occur on the pottery.

               

 

 

 

Miracles happen only to those who believe in them - French Proverb

 

 

 

 

 

 

Conrad Weiser 1696-1760: Friend of Colonist and Mohawk by Paul A. W. Wallace.  Conrad Weiser, Pennsylvania’s Indian ambassador was Jack-of-all-trades; a farmer and owner of a tannery, one of the founders of Reading, PA, a colonel during the French and Indian War, the first President judge of Berks County, a monk at Ephrata Cloisters, a pillar of the Lutheran Church, a promoter of Moravian missions, a rebel in New York and a prisoner in an Albany jail, a hymn-writer, traveler, statesman, linguist, diplomat, woodsman and most notably the Indian agent, who dominated the Indian affairs of Pennsylvania during the 18^th century.  His career introduces us to the whole colonial scene from New York to the Carolinas, taking in the seacoast towns, the frontier settlements, the forests of the Alleghenies, and the long houses and cabins of the Indians on the Hudson, Mohawk, Delaware, Susquehanna, and Ohio Rivers.  He bought books from Benjamin Franklin and taught him what he knew about the Iroquois.  He corresponded with Thomas Lee, the President of Virginia, he quarreled with Gov. Denny of Pennsylvania, and in the conduct of Indian affairs, he was the rival of George Washington and Sir William Johnson.  He introduced Count Zinzindorf to the Shawnees and save his life in the Wyoming valley.  He was advisor to Thomas Penn, General Forbes, and countless other notables.  He went everywhere, saw everyone, did everything and recorded in his journals, the most important information of his day.  Originally published in 1945, this deluxe 664 page book is printed on acid free paper, smythe-sewn and hard bound in a burgundy lexatone cover with gold embossing.  Limited to 1000 numbered copies. $44.95 from Lord Nelson’s Gallery, 27 and one half Chambersburg St., Gettysburg, PA 17325, 717-334-7950, fax 717-334-2103, email: lordnelsons@wideopen.net,  www.lordnelsons.com

 

 

 

 

 

 

February 29, 1704

 

The town of Deerfield, Massachusetts, was raided by French Canadians and Native Americans who were trying to retrieve their church bell that had been shipped from France.  Deerfield residents had bought the bell from a privateer and apparently were unaware of its origins.  The more than 100 English settlers captured during the raid were forced to march 230 miles (386 km) to Canada.

 

The story of the raid as retold in an 1879 book:

 

http://www.genweb.net/~captivity/bell.htm

 

 

 

 

 

      Congratulation< !!!!

To

 

    The Monarchs of Misrule (chosen at Fete)

 

Their majesties -

 

Tom and Melody Connor

 

and their royal court

 

Ken and Donna Valdejo

Russ and Mary Wyatt

 

Do not forget to ask them about their royal accoutrements - the pictures should be really good.

 

 

 

 

 

Pretzels

 

Traditionally, pretzels are made out of long strips of dough folded over into a loose trefoil knot before being baked.  They have been shaped this way since the seventh century.  Thought to bring good luck and prosperity, pretzels have been called the worlds oldest snack food.

 

Invented by monks, pretzels carry deep, religious meanings.  The folded strips of dough resemble the folded arms of someone who is praying in the usual manner in those days, while the three holes represent the Christian Holy Trinity.

 

In medieval times, pretzels were given to children as rewards for learning their prayers.